Bail-placing machine



Bflarch 2 ,1926.

G. W. CHALMERS ET AL BAIL PLACING MACHINE Filed Fpb. 5, 1925 5 Shoots-Sheet l flank 5.146750 I WMA 7W March 2 1926.

G. w CHALMERS ET AL BAIL PLACING MACHINE n 4 4 wa @HQMQg 1 m HIEFGEPIEi U I Filed Feb. 5, 1925 A" L 0 I QNN I I E M Hl W I II. N a

March 2 1926.

G. w. CHALMERS ETAL BAIL PLACING MACHINE March 2 1926. 1,575,037

G. w. CHALMERS El" AL BAIL PLACiNG MACHINE Filed Feb- 5, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 gs} m 4% March 2 1926.

G. W. CHALMERS ET AL BAIL PLACING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheofs frufen or:

r e (64 "4750:, 6mm Y- ow e 1 Patented Mar. 2, 1926.

,UNITED :STATES- PATENT. OFFICE.

GEORGE W. CHALMERS," OF SUMMIT, AND FRANK E. WILSON, OF ARGO, ILLINOIS,

' ASBIGNORS TO INTERNATIONAL PATENTS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, or WIL- MING-TON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OI DELAWARE RAIL-PLACING MACHINE.

Application filed February 5, 1925. sw rm. 31,058.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that we, GEORGE W. CHAL- MERS and FRANK E. WILsON, citizens of the United States, residing at Summit and Argo, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,

lespectively, have invented certain new and.

useful Improvements in Bail Placing Machines, of which the following is a speci- .fication.

This invention relates to a machine for automatically positioning bails on cans or s milar receptacles, provided with recesses or cars for receiving the hooked ends of the bails.

After a can has been provided with a diametrically opposed pair of recesses or holes near its upperedge, or with bail-ears provided with such recesses, it is necessary to spring into place a bail, havlng lnturned hooked ends which engage in these recess es. The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved machme for auto: matically positioning these bails in the ball cars or recesses on the cans.

A further objectis to provide an improved conveyor for supporting the cans by their ears, in bail-receiving position, and intermlttcntly moving these cans forwardy from station'to station, a bail being positioned within the can ears, while a can is resting at one of these stations.

A further object is to provide improved means for feeding the cans to the conveyors, at a preceding station.

A further object is to provide an improved means for feeding the bails to the bail-positioning apparatus.

A further object is to provide animproved means for spreading the bail ends and guiding the bail into position upon the can.

A further object is to provide means for carrying away the assembled cans and bails, after they are released from the conveyor.

Numerous other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of one approved form of the apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus, not including the can feeding mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of this portion of the apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section, on

an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is, an enlarged vertical section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section, showing a portion of the bail positioning apparatus, the view being taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the bailfeeder 'head, and the bail-spreader.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view, partially in section through one of the devices for adv'ancing the bails along the bail-feeder. This view is taken substantially on the line 77 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of one of the actuating mechanisms for forcing the bailends mto engagement with the bail-ears.

Fig. 9 is a perspective yiew of one of the ear-supporting pockets.

Fig. 10 is a detail elevation of the cam actuating mechanism for the bail-spreader. This view is takenlooking from the left at the upper portion of Fig. 3.

Fig 11 is a side elevation of the can-feedmg mechanism. This view is substantially a continuation of the right-hand end of Fig. 1.

Flg. 12 is a plan View of the apparatus shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a transverse vertical section, on a larger scale, taken substantially on the line 1313 of Fig. 11.

The entire apparatus may be considered as composed of the following main portions: A conveyor A for holding the cans and moving them intermittently from one station to another, through the apparatus; a mechanism B for feeding the cans to the conveyor;

a mechanism C for feeding bails to the bailplacing station; a mechanism D for placing these bails in the can ears; and a conveyor E for carrying away the assembled cans. These several devices will first be described in detail in the order mentioned above.

In the upper portion of the supporting framework 1, are arranged four simllar parallel horizontal channels or guideways 2, 3, 4 and 5. The inner and outer runs of a looped conveyor chain 6 are supported and guided by the runways 2 and 3, respectively, and a similar conveyor chain 7 is supported in the runways 4 and 5. The looped ends of chain 6 are carried by sprocket wheels 8 and 9, mounted on vertical shafts 10 and 11, respectively. Chain 7 is similarly supported on sprocket wheels 12 and 13 mounted on vertical shafts 14 and 15 respectively. By means of the interineshing gear wheels 16 and 17 on the shafts 10 and 14, the chains 6 and 7 are caused to move in unison, but in opposite directions, so that their parallel inner runs will travel'together and in the same direction, whereby the cans may be transported in the space between the inner runways 2 and 4, as hereinafter described.

Each chain 6 and 7 is provided at spaced intervals with pocket members 18, which are mounted on the upper portions of the chain, so that the can-ear-carrying portions 19 of these pocket members, may project inwardly over the inner flanges of the runways 2 and 4. The inner face of each pocket is curved as at 20, to fitthe outer cylindrical surface of one of the cans, and the inner runs of the conveyor chains are spaced at such a distance apart that the diametrically opposed sides of the can will fit easily between a pair of these opposed pocket members, as indicated in Fig. 2. The pocket- 21 in each of these members 18, is so shaped (as best shown in Fig. 8), as to receive and support one of the ears 22 on the can 23. In this manner, the can will be supported in upright position by its ears in an opposed pair of these pocket members 18, and will be carried along in this position between the runways 2 and 4.

The main horizontal drive shaft 24 carries a pulley 25 at one end from which power is obtained from any suitable source. The vertical drive shaft 26 is driven from shaft 24 through bevel gears 27 and 28. A second vertical shaft 29 is driven from shaft 26 through the reducing gears 30 and 31. At diametrically opposite points upon the upper surface of gear 31, are mounted two similar pins or rollers 32, which engage in a series of radial slots 33, in a disc 34 carried by a vertical shaft 35, also mounted in the framework 1. A gear 36 on shaft 35 drives the gear 37 on the shaft 10 heretofore described. The continuously revolving pins.

32 engage at intervals with the slots 33 to impart an intermittent forward movement to the disc 34, and thence through the gear connections hereinbefore described, to the two conveyor chains 6 and 7. Therefore, continuous rotation of the drive shaft 24 will, through the Geneva movement just described, cause the pairs of can-carrying pockets 18 to move forwardly (toward the left in Fig. 2), intermittently, resting at fixed intervals, at certain stations, along the guideways 2 and 4.

A vertical shaft 38 (which drives the bail placing mechanism C), hereinafter described, is driven from shaft 26 by means of the sprocket chain 39 connecting the sprocket 40 on shaft 26 with the sprocket 41 near the lower end of shaft 38. A sprocket 42 on a vertical shaft 43 (see Figs. 11 and 12), is driven through chain 44 from a sprocket 45 on shaft 38. This sprocket chain 44 drives the can-feeding mechanism B, which will now be described, referring particularly to Figs. 11, 12 and 13 of the drawings. A sup.- ply of the cans 23 with the ears attached, is maintained on the inclined runway 46, as indicated in Fig. 11. Located beneath one edge of the discharge end of this runway 46, and directly above one station at which the pockets 18 rest, is a hollow cylindrical guide member 47, supported by a bracket 48 projecting upwardly from the frame-Work 1. A pair of vertical grooves 49, in thisguide 47 are adapted to direct the can ears 22 downwardly into the pockets 21, in the pocket members 18. The opposite sides of the upper end of guide member 47 are cut .away as at 50 so as to guide the ears into the directing slots or grooves 49. Under the opposite edge of the discharge end of runway 46, is mounted a plunger 51, guided for vertical movement in'a slideway 52. The upper end of plun er 51 is curved as at 53, to support one end of the cylindrical portion of a can 23, when this can rolls off from runway 46, the opposite end of the can being similarly supported in one of the cutaway portions 50, of guide member 47. This position of one of the cans, is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 13. A link 54 connects the plunger 51 with the free end of a lever 55, the opposite end of which is pivoted at 56 to a stationary bracket 57. A roller 580 mounted at an intermediate point on lever I 55, rests on the upper surface of a rotary cam 590, carried at the upper end of shaft 43. As shaft 43 .is continuously rotated, the plunger 51 will be intermittently lifted by means of the mechanism just described. The driving connections are so timed, that this plunger 51 will be elevated at the time a pair of pocket membeis 18 come to rest at their station beneath the guide member 47 \Vhen the plunger 51 is elevated, the can 23 resting thereon will be tipped up (as indicated in dotted lines Fig. 13), into the cylindrical guide 47 the curved portions 50 will guide the ears 22 into the slots 49, which will direct the ears downwardly into the pockets 21 in the members 18. At the next movement of the conveyor chains 6 and 7, this can will be carried away to the next station, and a new pair of pockets brought into position beneath the guide slots 49. In the meantime, another can 23 has rolled down into position resting upon the plunger 51 and guide member 47. This cycle of -events repeats itself indefinitely, as long as a supply of cans is maintained upon the runway 46.

The mechanism C for feeding the bails to the positioning apparatus D, will now be described. The bails 58 are of the usual inverted U-shape, with inturned hooked ends 59. A feeder head 60, of a little more than semi-cylindrical cross section, and partially cut away as at 61, issupported in fixed POSI- tion in the framework 1. This feeder head is best shown in Fig. 6. The feeder head is mounted in an inclined position, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the sup ly of "closely as sembled bails carried there y, is adapted to slide down toward the discharge end of the head. A removable bail-holder 62 may be formed of a plurality of suitably spaced rods held together by intermediate spiders 63.

The reduced ends of the-rods 62 at one end of the bail-holder are adapted to be inserted in suitable sockets in the rear end of the feeder head 60, so that this bail-holder forms practically a continuation of the feederhead. When the bails from one bail holder are exhausted,- this bail holder may-be removed and replaced by another holder, carrying an assembled supply of bails. A follower 64 is adapted to movealong a fixed guide or passageway 65, behind the assembled group of bails. A cable 66, carrying a ,weight 67 at one end, is guided over a suitable system of pulleys and connected at its other end to the follower 64. The weight 67 tends to draw the follower towards the discharge end of the feeder head, and hence force the bails to move down the inclined feeder. Mounted adjacent each side of the feeder head 60, is a stationary socket member 68, in which moves a toothed feeder plate 69, whose teeth are of suitable size and configuration to individually grip and hold the several bails 58 carried near the discharge end of the feeder head. Springs 71, mounted between the plate 69 and one wall of socket 68 yieldably urge theplate 69 toward the bails, and a second spring 72 secured at one end to the socket 68 and at the other end to the plate 69, tends to move the plate and the bails gripped thereby towards the discharge end of the feeder head. Alink 7 3 connects one end of the slide plate 69 with a lever 74 intermediately pivoted at 75, in

the fixed framework. The other end 76 of lever 74 18 adapted to be engaged by a camgears 79 and 80, with a horizontal shaft 81.

Shaft 81 carries a cam wheel 82, having a cam slot 83 (see Fig. 4) in which engages a pinor roller 84 on one end of a lever 85, intermediately pivoted at 86 in a bracket 7 i 87 extending upwardly from theistationary framework. A plunger'or' pusher-bar 88 is adapted to move vertically u and down through a fixed slideway 89. in link 90 at the upper end of pusher-bar 88 carries a pin 91 engaging in a slot 92 in the other end of the lever 85 previously described. The lower end of pusher barv 88 adjustable has a pair of notched shoulders 93, adapted to engage the upper portion ofv one of the. bails 58. I

A bail-spreader assembly 94 is mounted for vertical reciprocating movement in the end of feeder head 60. This spreader assembly comprises a pair of similar oppositely disposed spreader plates 95, each having alower tapered end portion 96, adapted to be' moved down into one of the pockets 21, behind the can-ear 22 carried therein. Each spreader plate 95 has a guide slot 97, in which one of the hooked end portions 59 of the bail is engaged and directed downwardly into the pocket 21. In the back of each pocket 21 in pocket-member 18, is a vertical slot 98 for receiving the hooked end of the bail, which is guided downwardly thereinto, by slot or groove 97 in spreader plate 95. A lever arm 99, mounted on rock.

shaft 78 is connected at its outer end to the spreader assembly 94, so that when rock shaft 78 is oscillated, the spreader assembly will be moved up and down, so as to carry the ends 96 of the spreader plates into or out of the pockets 21. A crank arm 100, on one outer end of rock shaft 7 8, is connected to the lower end of a push rod 101, adapted to reciprocate vertically through a bearing 102, carried by the framework. The upper end of rod 101 is slotted as at 103, (see Fig.

10), to move up and down around and be guided by the rotary shaft 81, and carries a pin or roller 104:, which moves-in a cam slot 105 in one face of a cam disc 106 secured to the shaft 81. By means of this cam,

continuous rotation of the shaft 81 will cause the bail spreader to be moved intermittently into and out ofconnection with the pocket members 18.

Pivoted near the lower end of the bailpusher ,88 is a link or latch 130, having a lower inturned hooked end 131 adapted to cooperate with the notched'shoulders 93 to 'form a pocket in which is supported the upper bowed end of one of the bails 58, as it slides from the feeder-head 60. A spring 132 normally holds this hooked end yieldably in'place beneath the bail, and, when the bail-pusher is in its uppermoshor bailreceiving'position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a cross-bar 133 on the link 130 will he engaged by a pair of fixed cams 134 on the fixed guides 89 so as to positively hold the hooked end 131 in bail-supporting position.

As one of the bails 58 passes off from the end of feeder head 60, its upper bowed portion will be engaged by the notched shoulders 93 at the lower end of bail-pusher 88 and the hooked end 131 of link 130, and its lower hooked ends" 59 will be engaged in the guide grooves 97 in the spreader plates 95. The cam drive mechanism is so timed that when a pair of pocket members 18, carrying the can 23 by its cars 22, comes to rest at the bail-positioning station, the bail spreader 94 and the bail pusher 88 will simultane ously be projected downwardly, carrying yieldand allow the beveled end of hooked arm 131 to snap out of engagement with the bail 58 formerly supported thereby.

Of course, all of the above described operation takes place while one of the cans is resting at the station beneath the bail-positioning mechanism 1). After the bail has been placed on the can, the conveyors 6 and 7 are again actuated to carry the assembled can and hail forwardly, and bring a new can into position beneath the bail placing mechanism. 'lVh'en the pocket members 18 reach the end of runways 2 and 4, and comone of the bails 58, until the bail spreader n1ence to turn outwardly about the sprockets ends 96 are positioned behind the ears 22, in the pockets 21. The bail pusher 88 will continue to move downwardly, forcing the hooked ends of the bail outwardly along the grooved spreader plates,- through the slots 98 in pocket members 18, until the hooked ends 59 of the bail snap into place within the holes in the bail ears.

The spring action of the bail may be sufficient to cause the hooked ends 59 to engage in the holes in the bail ears, but we have also provided positive means for insuring this engagement. Each pocket member 18 contains a plunger 107, having a stem 108 projecting throughthe rear wall of memer 18, with a cam engaging head 109 on its outer end. An expansion spring 110 surrounding stem 108, between head 109 and the rear face of member 18, normally Holds the plunger 107 in retracted position.

WVhe n the plunger is forced inwardly against the action of spring 110, it will engage the outer end portion of the bail 58 and force the hooked end 59 into the hole in the bail-ear. A small bell crank 111, pivoted at 112 on a portion of the stationary framework, carries at one end a cam-head 113, adapted toengage the head 109 on any one of the plungers 107. The opposite end of the bell crank 111, carries a roller 114, which engages the peripheral surface of retary cam 115, carried at the upper end of vertical shaft 116. The two similar shafts 116, at the two sides of the conveyor, are geared together to rotate in unison by a sprocket chain eonnection'117. A second sprocket chain drive 118, connectsone of these shafts 116, with a sprocket 119 on the lower end of the vertical drive shaft 38 hereinabove described. The timing of these drive connections is such that immediately after the hooked ends 59 of a bail have been brought into engagement with the holes in the ears 22 on the can 23, then resting at this station, the bell cranks 111 will be operated to force the plungers 107 inwardly, and positively engage the hooked ends 59 with the can-ears.

On the upward stroke of bail-pusher 88, after a bail 58 has been positioned in engagement with a can, the spring 132 will 8 and 12, they will be disengaged from the ears22, and the can 23 with the bail 58 assembled thereon, will drop onto the upper run of a conveyor belt 120, which forms part of the conveyor mechanism E, for carrying the assembled cans away from the bail-placing mechanism.

It will be noted that all of the mechanism A, B, C and D are driven in properly timed realtion from the same drive shaft 24. The operation of the apparatus is continous and entirely automatic, it only being necessary to replenish the supply of cans upon the runway 40, and to add a new loaded bailholder 62 when the one previously used has become exhausted.

While some portions of this machine are vdesigned to cooperate particularly with the bail-ears, as attached to the cans by a preceding operation. It is obvious that the bail positioning mechanism could be used to ap ply bails to cans or other receptacles sim ply provided with recesses or holes near their upperedges for receiving the hooked ends of the bails, the separate bail-ears being omitted.

The term can as used in the foregoing description and in the following claims is intended to cover pails, buckets, and other receptacles of this type, whether provided with a cover or not.

We claim- 1. A machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-receiving ears, comprising a holder for a supply of bails, a conveyor' for supporting the cans and moving them successively into position adjacent the bail holder, and means for moving and guiding a hail from the holder into engagement with the ears of a can.

2. A machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-ears, comprising a holder for the cans, aholder for thebails, means for bringing the cans successively into operative relation to the bail-holder, and means 0 tlmed wlth relation to the can-moving 1 for the can-ears having bail-guiding means, a second bail-guiding means movable 1nto operative relation with one of the first guiding means, a holder for the bails, and means for moving a bail from the fbail-holder, through the two guiding means into engagement with the can-ears.

4.-A machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-receiving ears, comprising a conveyor for supporting the cans by their ears, means for intermittently advancing the conveyor from station to station, means for feeding cans to the conveyor at one station, a bail-feeding means at a second station, and means at this second station for forcing a bail from the feeding means into engagement with the can-ears.

5. A machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-receiving ears, comprising a conveyor for supporting the cans by their ears, means for intermittently advancing the conveyor from'station to station, means for feeding cans to the conveyor at one station, a bail-feeding means at a second station, means at this second station for forcing a hail from the feeding means into engagement with-the can-ears, and means for carrying away the assembled cans when released from the conveyor.

6. A machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-receiving ears, comprising a conveyor for supporting the cans by their ears, means for intermittently advancing the conveyor from station to station, a bail-feeding means at one station, and means at this station for forcing a bail from the feeder into engagement with the ears of a can when resting at this station.

7. A machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-receiving ears, comprising a conveyor for supporting the cans by their ears, means for interm1ttentlyadvancing the conveyor from station to station, means for feeding cans to the conveyor at one station, means for positioning bails on the cans at a second station, and a conveyor belt having an upper horizontal 'run onto which the assembled cans are discharged from the first mentioned conveyor,

8. In a machine for placing bails on cans, a conveyor for the cans comprising a pair of similar chains, means for supporting and driving the chains so that the inner runs move parallel to and synchronously with one another in the same substantially horizontal plane, and a series of spaced ear-pockets carried by each chain, the can being suspended from the conveyor chains by having its two bail-ears resting in a pair of opposing ear-pockets.

9. In a machine for placing bails on cans, a conveyor for the cans comprising a pair of similar chains, means for'supporting the chains so that the inner runs move parallel to and. synchronously with one another in the same substantially horizontal plane, a series of spaced ear-pockets carried by each chain, the can being supported from the conveyor chains by having its two bail-ears resting in a pair of opposing ear-pockets, and means for simultaneously imparting an intermittent forward movement to the conveyor chains.

-10. In a machine for placing bails on cans, a conveyor for the cans comprising a pair of similar chains, the inner runs of which move parallel to and synchronously with one another, a series of spaced ear-pockets carried by each chain, the can being supported from the conveyor chains by having its two bail-ears resting in a pair of opposing earpockets, means. for imparting an intermittent forward movement to the conveyor chains, whereby the cans pause at a plurality of stations, means at one station for feeding a can to the conveyor, and means at a second station for positioning a bail on the can.

11. In a machine for placing bails on cans, a conveyor for the cans comprising a pair of similar chains, the inner runs of which move parallel to and synchronously with one another, a series of spaced ear-pockets carried by each chain, each pocket having a concave inner face for engaging the cylindrical surface of the can, a recess for supporting the bail-ear, and a bail-guiding slot communicating with the recess.

12. In a machine for placing bails on cans, a conveyor for the cans comprising a pair of similar chains, the inner runs of which move parallel to and synchronously with one another, a series of spaced ear-pockets carried by each chain, each pocket having a recess for supporting the bail-ear and a bailguiding slot communicating with the recess.

13. In a machine for placing bails on cans, a conve or for the cans comprising a pair of simi ar chains, the inner runs of which move parallel to and synchronously with one another, a series of spaced earpockets carried by each chain, each pocket having a concave inner face for engaging the cylindrical surface of the can, a recess for supporting the bail-ear, and a bail-guiding slot communicating with the recess, a plunger for forcing the bail-end into engagement with an ear, and a spring for retracting the plunger.

14. In a machine for placing bails on can; provided with bail-ears, a pair of pocketmembers for supporting the can by its ears, each member comprising an ear holding pocket, and' a slot communicating with the pocket for directing a bail-end into engagement' with the ear.

15, In a machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-ears, a pair of pocket members for supporting the can by its ears, each member comprising an ear holding pocket, and a slot communicating with the bers for the bail-ends,a mova pocket for directing a bail-end into engagement with the ear, and a plunger in the member for forcing the bail-end into the ear.

16. In a machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-ears, a feeder-head for carrying a supply of bails, a vertlcally movable bail-spreader comprisin guide memble supporting means for the can, means for moving the bail-spreader into operative position with respect to the can-supporting means when the latter is resting beneath the bailspreader, and means for subsequently moving a bail from the feeder down over the bail-spreader into engagement with the cancars.

17. In a machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-ears, a feeder-head, a removable bail-holder attachable to the feeder-head for carrying a supply of bails, and means for moving and guiding a hail from the feeder-head into engagement with a can.

18. In a machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-ears, a feeder-head, a removable bail-holder attachable to the feeder-head for carrying a supply of bails, means for moving the bails from the bailholder to the feeder head, and means for moving and guiding a hail from the feederhead into engagement with a can.

19. In a machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-ears, means for supporting the can, a bail-spreader movable into engagement with the can-supporting means, and a bail-pusher for moving a bail over the bail spreader into engagement with the can.

20. In a machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-ears, means for supporting the can by its cars, a bail-spreader having portions movable into engagement with the ear-supporting means, and a bail pusher for moving a bail over the bail-spreader into engagement with the can.

21. In a machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-ears, means for supporting the can by its ears, a bail spreader having portions movable into engagementwith the ear-supporting means and guide grooves for directing the bail-ends into engagement with the can-ears, and a bail-pusher for moving a bail over the bail-spreader into engagement with the can.

22. In a machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-ears, means for supporting the can, a bail-spreader having discharge portions for directing the bail-ends into engagement with the can-ears, a bailpusher, means for feeding a bail to the bailspreader and bail pusher, and means for moving the bail-spreader and bail-pusher and the bail carried thereby simultaneously until the bail-spreader is in position to guide the bail-ends into engagement with the ears, and for subsequently moving the bail-pusher each pocket having a guide slot for the bail,

a bail-spreader comprising diverging slideways terminating in projections adapted to fit within the pockets, means for moving the spreader into and out of the pockets, a feeder for the bails, and a reciprocating bail-pusher adapted to push a hail from the feeder, over the spreader, through the guide slots into the bail-ears.

24. In a machine for placing bails on cans, means for supporting the can comprising a pair of bail-ear-holding pockets, each ocket having a guide slot for the bail, a bai -spreader comprising diverging slideways terminating in projections adapted to fit within the pockets, means for moving the spreader into and out of the pockets, a feeder for the bails, and a reciprocating bail-pusher adapted to push a bail from the feeder, over the spreader, through the guide slots into the bail-ears, a rotary cam-shaft, and connections from this shaft to operate the spreader and pusher.

25. In a machine for placing bails on cans, means for supporting the can comprising a pair of bail-ear-holding pockets, each pocket having a guide slot for the bail, a bailspreader comprising diverging slideways terminating in projections adapted to fit within the pockets, means for moving the spreader into and out of the pockets, a feeder for the bails, and a reciprocating bailpusher adapted to push a bail from the feeder, over the spreader, through the guide slots into the bailears, and plungers for positively forcing the bail ends into engagement with the ears.

26. In a machine for placing bails on cans, means for supporting the can comprising a pair of bail-ear-holding pockets, each pocket having a guide slot for the bail, a bailspreader comprising diverging slideways terminating in projections adapted to fit within the pockets, means for moving the spreader into and out of the pockets, a feeder for the bails, and a reciprocating bail-pusher adapted to push a bail from the feeder, over the spreader, through the guide slots into the bail-ears, a plunger in each pocket for forcing the bail-end into engagement with the ear, a spring for retracting the plunger, and a rotary cam for actuating the plunger.

27. In a machine for placing bails on cans, means for supporting the can comprising a pair of bail-ear-holding pockets, each pocket having a guide slot for the bail, means for intermittently moving the pockets, and a can carried thereby, from station to station, a bail-spreader located at one station comprising diverging slideways terminating in projections adapted to be moved into the pockets when at that station, a feeder for the bails, a reciprocating bail-fpusher adapted to push a hail from the eeder over the s reader through the guide slots and into the bail-ears on the can, a rotary cam-shaft, and connections from. this shaft to operate the spreader and pusher. I

28. In a machine for placing bails on cans, means for-supportingthe can COIIIPIIS- ing a pair of bail-ear-holdmg ockets, each pocket having a guide slot or the bail, means for interi'nittently mov1n the pockets, and a can carried thereb rom station to station, a bail-s reader ocated at one station comprising iverging slideways terminating in projections adapted to be moved into the pockets when at that stat1on, a feeder for the bails, a reciprocating ballpusher adapted to push a bail from the feeder over the spreader through the guide slots and into the bail-ears on the can, a rotary ing means, springs for urging the toothed cam-shaft, and connections from this shaft to operate the spreader and pusher, a pluner in each poc et for forcing the bail-end into engagement with the ear, a spring for retracting the plunger, and cam-operated means at the bail-placing station for operating the plunger.

29. In a machine for placing balls on cans, a slideway for the bails, a follower for moving the balls along the slideway, means for feeding the bails one by one from the slideway, a plurality of means for yleldably engaging the forward group of bails on the slideway at spaced points, spring means for urging these bail-engaging means toward the feeding means, and cam-operated means for intermittently retracting the engaging means to grip a new group of bails.

30. In a machine for placing bails on cans, a slideway for the bails, comprising a fixed portion and a removable and replaceable section for holding a supply of bails, a

follower for moving the balls along theslideway, means for feeding the bails one by one from the slideway, a plurality of means for yieldably engaging the forward group of bails on the slideway at spaced points, spring means for urging these bailengaging means toward the feeding means, and cam-operated means for intermittently retracting the engaging means to grip a new group of bails. I

- 31. In a machine for lacing bails on cans, a slideway for the balls, a follower for moving the balls along the slideway, means for feeding the bails one by one from the slideway, a plurality of means positioned adjacent the slideway, each having a plurality of spaced teeth for engaging the individual bails of the group nearest the feedmeans toward the bails, other springs for ing means, and cam-operated means for intermittently retracting the. toothed means agamst the action of the springs for gripping a new grou of bails.

-32. In a mac ine for placing bails on] cans provided with bail-ears, a conveyor comprising ear-supporting pockets, a runway down which the cans are adapted to roll, and means for directing a can from the runway and guiding its ears into the pockets when the pockets are in can receiving position.

33. In a machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-ears, a conveyor comprising ear-supporting pockets, a runway down which the cans are adapted to roll, means for guiding the can-ears into the pockets, and means for tilting a can from the runway into engagement with the guiding means when the pockets are in can receiving posltion.

34. In a machine for placing hails on cans,

a conveyor comprising pairs of spaced earpockets for supporting cans having bail-ears thereon, means for intermittently advancing the conveyor for moving the pockets from station to station, a runway down which the cans are adapted to roll, a fixed guiding means at one station for directing the canears 1nto a pair of pockets, a vertically reciprocating plunger for tipping a can into the guiding means, and means for actuating the plunger when a pair of ear pockets are at the station.

35. In a machine for placing bail-s on cans, a conveyor comprising pairs of spaced earpockets for supporting cans having bailears thereon, means for intermittently advancing theconveyor for moving the pockets from station to station, a runway down which the cans are adaptedto roll, an upright guiding means at one station having guide slots for directing the can-ears into the pockets, a vertically reciprocating plung er at that station, the plunger and guiding means having can holding recesses into which a can will roll from the runway, and means for actuating the plunger when a pair of pockets are at the station for tilting the can into the guiding means.

i 36. In a machine for placing bails-on cans, a conveyor comprising pairs of spaced ear pockets for supporting cans having bail-ears thereon, means for intermittently advancing the conveyor for moving the pockets from station to station, a runway down which thecans are adapted to roll, a fixed guiding means at one station for directing the canears into a pair of pockets, and means for moving a can from the runway into the guiding means when a pair of ear-pockets are atthe station.

37. In a machine for placing bails on cans provided w1th recesses for receiving the urging'the toothed means toward the feedlb v ends 'of the bails, a bail spreader, means for bringing the bail-spreader and a can into operative relation with one another, and a bail-pusher for moving a ball over the spreader into engagement with the can recesses.

38. In a machine for placing bails on cans, means for spreading apart the ends .of the bail, and means cooperating with the spreading means for positioning the bail on the can.

39. In a machine for placing bails on cans, a bail spreader and means for positioning a can in relation to the spreader so that the bail ends after being passed over the spreader will engage with the can.

40. In a machine for placing bails on cans, a bail spreader comprising diverging guide ways for the bail-ends, and means for registering a can with these guide-ways, whereby the bail ends after being passed over the spreader will engage with the can.

41. In a machine for attaching the ends of the bails to cans provided with bail-ears, a lmil-spreader, and means for positioning a can in relation to the spreader so that the bail-ends after being passed over the spreador will engage with-the bail-ears.

42. In a machine for attaching the ends of the bails to cans provided with bail-ears, a bail-spreader comprising diverging guideways for the bail-ends, and means for registering the bail-ears on the can with these guide-ways, whereby the bail ends after being passed over the spreader will engage with the bail-ears.

43. In a machine for placing bails on cans provided with bail-receiving ears, means for separating the bail-ends and guiding them into engagement with the ears, and means cooperating with the guiding means for moving a. bail into engagement with the ears.

44. In a machine for placing bails on cans, means for separating the bail-ends and guiding them into engagement with the can, and means cooperating with the guiding means for moving a bail into engagement with the can.

45. In a machine for placing bails with hooked ends on can-s provided with recesses for receiving the hooked ends, means for spreading apart the bail-ends, and cooperat ing means for positioning the hooked ends in the recesses.

46. In a machine for placing bails with hooked ends on cans provided with recesses for receiving the hooked ends, means for separating the hooked ends and guiding them into the recesses, and means cooperating with the guiding means for moving the bail into engagement with the can.

47.,In a machine for placing bails with hooked ends 011 cans provided with recesses for receiving the hooked ends, means for separating the hooked ends and guiding them into the recesses, means for bringing the can and guiding means into operative relation with one another, and means cooperating with the guiding means for moving a bail into engagement with the can.

48. In a machine for placing bails on cans, a conveyor for the cans, a holder for a supply of bails, and means formov'ing and guiding a bail from the holder into engagement with a can.

49. In a machine for placing bails on cans, a holder for the bails, means for bringing the cans successively into operative relation to the bail-holder, and means timed with relation to the can-moving means for moving and guiding a bail from the bailholder into engagement with a can.

50. A machine for placing bails on cans, comprising a conveyor for the cans, means for advancing the conveyor from station to station, means for feeding can-s to the conveyor at one station, a bail-feeding means at a second station, and means at this second station for forcing a bail from the feeding means into engagement with the can then at that station. 7

51. A machine for placing bails on cans, comprising a conveyor for the cans, means for advancing the conveyor from station to station, means for feeding cans to the con veyor at one station, and means at a second station for positioning a bail on the can then at that station.

52. A machine for placing bails on cans, comprising a conveyor for the cans, means for advancing the conveyor from station to station, the cans being placed on the con veyor at one station, and means at a second station for automatically positioning a bail on the can then at that station.

53. A machine for placing bails on cans, comprising a holder for a supply of bails, a conveyor for supporting the cans and moving them successively into position adjacent the bail-holder, and means for moving a bail from the holder into engagement with the can.

54. A machine for placing bails on cans, comprising a holder for a supply of bails, a plurality of can-supporting units adapted to bring a series of cans successively, one by one, into position adjacent the bail-holder, and means timed with the movement of the can-supporting units for moving and guidin a bail from the holder into engagement with the adjacent can.

55. In a machine for placing bails on cans, a slideway for the bails, means for pushing the bails one by one from the slideway into engagement with a can, and means for feeding the foremost bails on the slideway into position for engagement bythe pushing means.

GEORGE W. GHALMERS. FRANK E. IVILSON. 

